[photo credit: iwitness2u.com]
They are there….with majority in waves of orange uniforms, some in green, and still, others who are more dangerous clad in red. Housed in different cells, different units. Imprisoned for the crimes they had committed: robbery, rape, murder, battery and other things. Even inside, they still try to rule. Some, hungry for power, intimidate the new comers and try to manipulate them to do things for their purpose. It is sickening. It seems never ending.
Only for me to step out of those prison walls, into a bigger prison. We are no different than those incarcerated inmates imprisoned with our sins. Some in deeper traps: bondages.
But 2,000 years ago, out of love, Jesus yelled before dying: “It is finished”….
Sin is a no-laughing matter. Sins should grieve our souls because of what Jesus did. Out of His love for us. This is the reason why Jesus came and became the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s sins. He took all of our baggage. And put it on His own. He became the payment for the penalty we deserved. It is God’s plan, long ago. In order for us to be saved from going into hell.
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike your heel.” - Genesis 3:15...
It is finished…on Jesus’ part. He fulfilled His work, His mission to save humanity from sins. He never gave up. He never quit the race He was in. Instead of people being drawn to the prince of this world, people would be drawn to Jesus as Lord of their lives. Jesus took away the sins of the world. He made life available to the full. And upon His death, Jesus became the ladder between heaven and earth.
John 1:51 - “The truth is, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down upon the Son of Man.” [NIV]
It is finished…It was not a cry of defeat but of victory instead…And through Jesus’ victory, we became victorious as well.
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” -John 15:13
But it is not finished…on our part. We are all running a race in this life’s journey. Because of our faith in Jesus, we will also face many obstacles. We will experience different degrees of hardships. Will we be able to say “it is finished!” at the end? Will we be able to say what Paul said?:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His glorious return.” - 2 Timothy 4:7-8
In this world full of many prisons, housing many hurting sinners who haven’t come to realize what Jesus did on the cross, we, believers, are running that race to share His cries of victory among those lost and still living defeated lives: “It is finished!”
Love is the essence of God’s law. Love was displayed on the cross. Love claimed victory. Now that the debt had been paid, we, followers of Christ, are under obligation not to fall into the same trap of sins and to share His love.
“8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” - Romans 13:8
